Fantasy Tip: Lewis has the potential to be the top running back with this current group, with White and Bolden as solid backups. However, look for a rookie, and possibly a veteran running back, to be added in the offseason to provide competition.

Fantasy Tip: Gone are the days of Blount rushing for hundreds of yards and multiple touchdowns. The Patriots do need a ground-and-pound type of running back, but Blount may not be the answer for the future. This situation will play out over the course of the next few months, but Blount may be heading for fantasy irrelevancy.

Fantasy Tip: Many FantasyScore players probably forgot about ol' SJ39 ($3,900, 7.8% of cap), but he could be a surprise option this weekend. The Patriots need a veteran running back, and he certainly fits the bill. Denver allowed just 83.6 yards per game on the ground in the regular season, but they were dinged for 10 rushing scores and 81 first downs via the run. Jackson could easily exceed his salary expectations in this one.

Fantasy Tip: Jackson appears to be the team's between-the-tackles back heading into the playoffs, and while he may not have much tread left on his tires, he will have some value at FantasyScore as long as he is receiving touches near the goal line.

Fantasy Tip: Even though Jackson was just signed a few days ago, it shouldn't take him long to learn the New England offense, considering that offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels worked with him in St. Louis for one year. He is not available in FantasyScore this week but he could be worth a flier as a flex option in deeper seasonal leagues.

The New England Patriots ran the ball just nine times during their Week 7 game against the New York Jets, and a similar game plan is likely for their Week 16 meeting, in the opinion of WEEI.com's Christopher Price. RBs James White, Brandon Bolden, Joey Iosefa and Steven Jackson project to have a tough task this week, as New England has averaged 18 carries for just 62 yards over the past five games against the Jets.

Fantasy Tip: For the season, New York owns the second best run defense in yards per game. So with the New England backfield loaded with options, it will be difficult to trust anyone outside of White ($5,200, 10.4% of cap) in PPR formats, including at FantasyScore. Jackson, Bolden ($3,400, 6.8%) and Iosefa ($2,000, 4.0%) are nothing more than fliers in all formats because of their uncertain workload and difficult matchup.

Fantasy Tip: The New England backfield was already quite crowded, and Jackson hasn't suited up for a game all season. Additionally, the Pats only ran the ball nine times in the Week 7 game against the New York Jets. Jackson has potential as a FantasyScore flier during the playoffs, but it is best to take a wait-and-see approach in seasonal leagues.

Fantasy Tip: The move is good for headlines, but S-Jack looked like a shell of himself his last two seasons in Atlanta. He played one year with offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels in St. Louis, but it's unlikely he'll play a big enough role to be a fantasy factor the next two weeks. He could be a daily option in the playoffs.

Fantasy Tip: It was clear that Jackson didn't have much left to offer during his time in Atlanta, and he'd be hard pressed to beat out either Joseph Randle or Darren McFadden in the open running back competition in Dallas.

Free-agent RB Steven Jackson (Falcons) said he would like to keep playing but will only do so for a contender. "I want to be part of a winning team because when I do hang up my cleats, I can see a lot of people holding that over my head when a lot of it was out of my control," Jackson said.

Fantasy Tip: Even if a contender ends up signing Jackson, he isn't likely to have a major role. The best-case scenario would be for Jackson to handle some work around the goal line.

Fantasy Tip: Jackson can be considered over the hill at this point in his career, though he still does have some fantasy value if nothing more than as a goal line running back; he had six touchdowns in each of his two seasons with the Falcons. Devonta Freeman and Jacquizz Rodgers will take over duties out of the Falcons' backfield, with Freeman likely having more fantasy value.

Fantasy Tip: Jackson's best days are obviously behind him as he hasn't rushed for at least 1,000 yards since 2012 after eight consecutive seasons of doing so. The passing of the torch seems imminent and it remains to be seen where Jackson will end up. He's a flex option at best in 2015, though there are still blanks to be filled.

Fantasy Tip: Freeman should be your initial play in standard leagues if you're picking between he and Rodgers. Against the Panthers, Freeman could be a very nice FantasyScore play after replacing S-Jax last week and running for a TD.

Fantasy Tip: The team will have practice squad call-up Jerome Smith active, and he will join rookie Devonta Freeman in the backfield for the regular season finale. It isn't official Jackson will sit, but FantasyScore owners probably do not want to take that risk.

Fantasy Tip: Not great news to start the week for Jackson, but check back as the week goes on to see what he can do on the practice field. Jackson is facing an above average Panthers run defense, and there may be better options available to you in FantasyScore if he does play.

Updating a previous report, Atlanta Falcons RB Steven Jackson (quadriceps) is believed to have underwent an MRI to determine the severity of his injury. The initial reports are that the injury is not serious.

Fantasy Tip: Owners will have to watch his practice participation during the week to have a better idea of his status for Week 17. He would be facing an above average Carolina Panthers run defense and could be considered a No. 2 running back on FantasyScore.

Updating a previous report, Atlanta Falcons RB Steven Jackson (quadriceps) has been ruled out for the rest of the team's Week 16 game because of his quadriceps injury.

Fantasy Tip: Jackson's availability for Week 17 is uncertain because of the injury. Jacquizz Rodgers and Devonta Freeman likely would share time at running back next week if Jackson misses the game and could be flex option for owners on FantasyScore.

Fantasy Tip: Jackson should be ready to go in Week 12, and has a nice matchup against the Cleveland Browns. Jackson will cost $4,900 this week. If he can't go or is limited, Devonta Freeman would receive most of the work and will cost $3,000 in FantasyScore.

Fantasy Tip: Jackson ($4,900) should be able to play against the Cleveland Browns, who have allowed the third-most rushing yards (1,190) this season. That makes Jackson a decent play at FantasyScore, but if you're looking for more upside, Devonta Freeman ($3,000) is the better play - not to mention he's a bargain.

Fantasy Tip: It is not known why Jackson was not on the field during practice, so owners should watch for an update in the near future. Jackson costs $4,900 on FantasyScore but may not be the best option to use this week. Devonta Freeman would receive more work if Jackson is not able to play and would be a good flex option at $3,000.

Fantasy Tip: Freeman is the most explosive runner on Atlanta's roster with Smith suffering a season-ending injury. That makes Freeman worth a waiver-wire acquisition for depth. Against the Cleveland Browns in Week 12, Freeman is an intriguing flex play.

Fantasy Tip: Jackson had 18 touches to lead all Atlanta runners, with Davonta Freeman and Antone Smith each a distant second with four touches. Jackson is still only worth a look as a low-end RB2 or flex play in FantasyScore only if his Week 10 salary remains low.

Fantasy Tip: There's no telling how long Jackson will remain healthy, but he is at least a good flex option this week in what figures to be a high-scoring contest. Jackson costs $5,200 on FantasyScore.

Fantasy Tip: Jackson is a low-risk play this week at $5,200 on FantasyScore. If the Falcons can compete with the high-flying New Orleans Saints offense, Jackson could outperform his price tag this week as an RB3.

Atlanta Falcons RB Steven Jackson (hamstring) could receive some playing time in the final preseason game, according to head coach Mike Smith. Jackson is expected to be ready for the start of the regular season.

Fantasy Tip: It would be good for Jackson to get some playing time before the start of the season. It appears like Jackson will be ready to go for Week 1 and likely will be in most starting lineups in fantasy leagues.

Fantasy Tip: Jackson has been sidelined with a hamstring injury during training camp, but it looks like he is making his way back. Jackson probably will be the team's starter if he is healthy. Owners should consider Jackson as a weekly flex option if they select him in their drafts.

Fantasy Tip: Jackson has missed several practices because of the injury, and his status for the regular season is uncertain at this point. Devonta Freeman could receive more playing time because of Jackson's injury. Jackson will enter the season as the starter if healthy, but Freeman will get carries during the season. Both Jackson and Freeman could be weekly flex options in some leagues.

Fantasy Tip: The hamstring injury continues to linger for Jackson. While there is still plenty of time for him to be ready for Week 1, Jackson should be viewed as a low-end No. 2 running back on draft day.

Atlanta Falcons RB Steven Jackson (hamstring) is working on a side field during practice Thursday, Aug. 14. Jackson is working with the training staff and is taking part in agility drills.

Fantasy Tip: Jackson still has a few weeks left to get ready for the regular season. Jackson is the starting running back but could lose some work to the other running backs on the roster. Owners should consider Jackson as a low-end No. 2 running back or a weekly flex option.

Fantasy Tip: Nagging injuries continue to plague Jackson, and at this point, you should be cautious about drafting him. However, he has a chance to be a RB2 if he can manage to stay healthy, making him a nice gamble if you can grab him late enough.

Updating a previous report, Atlanta Falcons RB Steven Jackson (hamstring) injured his hamstring Monday, July 28, which is why he wasn't practicing Tuesday, July 29. Head coach Mike Smith said Jackson will be ready for the team's first game.

Fantasy Tip: This is not what you want to see from an aging running back entering his age-31 season. Jacquizz Rodgers and Devonta Freeman could have heavy workloads if S-Jax continues to be bugged by nagging injuries all year long.

Atlanta Falcons RB Steven Jackson, who is entering his age-31 season and likely only has one good season left in him, could find himself with less playing time if he is slowed by nagging injuries in 2014. Until then, though, Jackson is considered the team's starter.

Fantasy Tip: Jackson dealt with some nagging injuries last year, and by the end of the season, he looked just plain old and lacked explosiveness at the line. Don't be surprised to see Devonta Freeman handle more of the work as the season progresses, with S-Jax handling goal-line duties. If you own Jackson, Freeman is a necessary handcuff.